Already using Collar?
Australian businesses save A$1,200-5,000+/year switching from Collar
An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
The Facts at a Glance
Collar
collar.app- Founded
- ~2021 (estimated)
- Headquarters
- England & Wales, UK
- Focus
- Multi-vertical pet services + Vet
- Est. Customers
- Unknown (newer entrant)
- Pricing
- Monthly subscription (A$100-415/month) with service listing limits
Double Fee Alert for Australian Businesses
- •A$100-415/month subscription with service listing limits (3/6/12 services)
- •UK-based payment processing: 2.9-5%+ (vs Petboost localised 1.7% + $0.30)
Pay subscription AND face service limits—upgrade required as you grow
Petboost
Built in Sydney- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
- Focus
- Multi-vertical pet services
- AU Presence
- Native (built in Sydney)
- Pricing
- $0/mo (waived at -+) + -
Consider Collar only if
There are limited scenarios where Collar may suit you better:
- UK-based pet businesses wanting local UK support
- Businesses wanting native iOS/Android mobile apps for pet owners
- Multi-location/franchise operations needing enterprise features
- Vet clinics (Collar specifically targets vets)
- Businesses wanting gym-style membership programs
- Operations needing route management for mobile services
Petboost is the better choice if
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses with a design-first approach our customers rave about:
- Australian pet businesses wanting local support and compliance
- Multi-service operators needing unlimited services (no 3/6/12 service caps)
- Businesses wanting to avoid A$100-415/month subscription fees
- Owners who value granular automation control (not all-or-nothing)
- Solo operators or small teams looking for simple, modern software
- Anyone wanting transparent pricing without service listing limits
From large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
Where Each Platform Excels
An honest look at how each platform handles key functionality.
Feature Comparison
Collar vs Petboost
Service Listing Limits
Number of services you can offer
Collar caps services: Essential=3, Premium=6, Business=12. Petboost is unlimited.
3/6/12 services depending on plan
Unlimited services included
Monthly Subscription
Base software cost
Collar: A$100 (Essential), A$205 (Premium), A$415 (Business)
A$100-415/month
$0/month (waived at -+)
Booking Engine
Core scheduling functionality
Both strong booking systems
Comprehensive scheduling
Magic Schedule + Quick Force dual modes
Payment Processing
Card payment rates
Petboost transparent AU rates
Stripe-based (rates not disclosed)
0.0% + $0.00/$0.30 (AU Stripe)
SMS Payment Links
One-tap payment collection via SMS
Petboost differentiator
Native Mobile App
iOS/Android apps for pet owners
Collar has native apps
Full screen web app (PWA)
Memberships
Recurring revenue programs
Different approaches: both valid
Gym-style memberships
Packages with visual tracking
Package Management
Prepaid credits tracking
Petboost excels here
Unknown
Coffee-card visual + 24/7 self-service
Course Management
Group training courses
Petboost purpose-built
Unknown
Native courses with templates
Pet Attributes
Pet profiling tags
Petboost comprehensive library
Unknown
2,000+ pre-built attributes
Route Optimisation
Mobile service routing
Collar ahead for mobile
Collar Routeâ„¢
Vet Support
Veterinary clinic features
Collar unique positioning
Dedicated vet vertical
Multi-Location
Multiple site management
Collar ahead currently
Native + Enterprise franchise
Coming 2026
E-Commerce
Product sales
Collar has product sales
Built-in product sales
Space Hire/Parks
Venue rental bookings
Collar unique positioning
Dedicated vertical
Staff Management
Team scheduling and payroll
Collar more comprehensive
Schedules, timesheets, pay
Team member management
Analytics
Business reporting
Collar more comprehensive
30+ reports + Collar Insightsâ„¢
Standard reports + Xero
Marketing Tools
Email campaigns, promotions
Collar built-in marketing
Built-in marketing suite
Basic
In-App Chat
Customer messaging
Both supported
SMS Notifications
Automated reminders
Both supported
Intelligent SMS delivery
AU-native SMS (+61)
Accounting Integration
Accounting software sync
Stripe auto-syncs to Xero/QuickBooks
Unknown
Via Stripe bank feeds
Feature Comparison Collar vs Petboost | C Collar | P Petboost🇦🇺Australian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Service Listing LimitsNumber of services you can offer Collar caps services: Essential=3, Premium=6, Business=12. Petboost is unlimited. | 3/6/12 services depending on plan | Unlimited services included |
Monthly SubscriptionBase software cost Collar: A$100 (Essential), A$205 (Premium), A$415 (Business) | A$100-415/month | $0/month (waived at -+) |
Booking EngineCore scheduling functionality Both strong booking systems | Comprehensive scheduling | Magic Schedule + Quick Force dual modes |
Payment ProcessingCard payment rates Petboost transparent AU rates | Stripe-based (rates not disclosed) | 0.0% + $0.00/$0.30 (AU Stripe) |
SMS Payment LinksOne-tap payment collection via SMS Petboost differentiator | ||
Native Mobile AppiOS/Android apps for pet owners Collar has native apps | Full screen web app (PWA) | |
MembershipsRecurring revenue programs Different approaches: both valid | Gym-style memberships | Packages with visual tracking |
Package ManagementPrepaid credits tracking Petboost excels here | Unknown | Coffee-card visual + 24/7 self-service |
Course ManagementGroup training courses Petboost purpose-built | Unknown | Native courses with templates |
Pet AttributesPet profiling tags Petboost comprehensive library | Unknown | 2,000+ pre-built attributes |
Route OptimisationMobile service routing Collar ahead for mobile | Collar Routeâ„¢ | |
Vet SupportVeterinary clinic features Collar unique positioning | Dedicated vet vertical | |
Multi-LocationMultiple site management Collar ahead currently | Native + Enterprise franchise | Coming 2026 |
E-CommerceProduct sales Collar has product sales | Built-in product sales | |
Space Hire/ParksVenue rental bookings Collar unique positioning | Dedicated vertical | |
Staff ManagementTeam scheduling and payroll Collar more comprehensive | Schedules, timesheets, pay | Team member management |
AnalyticsBusiness reporting Collar more comprehensive | 30+ reports + Collar Insightsâ„¢ | Standard reports + Xero |
Marketing ToolsEmail campaigns, promotions Collar built-in marketing | Built-in marketing suite | Basic |
In-App ChatCustomer messaging Both supported | ||
SMS NotificationsAutomated reminders Both supported | Intelligent SMS delivery | AU-native SMS (+61) |
Accounting IntegrationAccounting software sync Stripe auto-syncs to Xero/QuickBooks | Unknown | Via Stripe bank feeds |
Last updated: December 2025 • Based on publicly available information
Our Focused Approach
We do fewer things exceptionally well rather than many things adequately. Our customers consistently tell us our design and user experience is miles ahead. Here's where we've intentionally focused elsewhere:
| Feature | Status | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Native iOS/Android apps | Considering | Full screen web app works well; native apps add complexity |
| Route optimisation | Focused elsewhere | Use Google Maps; we focus on service delivery |
| Multi-location management | 2026 | Single-location focus first |
| Vet clinic support | Focused elsewhere | Different market with different regulatory needs |
| E-commerce/product sales | Focused elsewhere | Focus on service bookings |
| Space hire/park rental | Focused elsewhere | Niche vertical |
| Staff payroll | Focused elsewhere | Use dedicated payroll software (Xero, MYOB) |
| UK localisation | Considering | Australia-first focus |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, Collar may be better suited for your current needs.
Built for Australian Businesses
US-based software simply can't match these Australian-specific advantages.
Payment Processing
Payment Provider
Card-Present Rate
Card-Not-Present Rate
SMS Payment Links
Terminal Compatibility
| Payment Processing | Collar | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Provider | Stripe-based (assumed) | Stripe AU (native) |
| Card-Present Rate | Unknown | 0.0% + $0.00 |
| Card-Not-Present Rate | Unknown | - |
| SMS Payment Links | Unknown | 3.1% + $0.60 (integrated) |
| Terminal Compatibility | Unknown | Stripe WisePOS-E |
SMS Functionality
Basic SMS Reminders
In-App Chat
Timezone
| SMS Functionality | Collar | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic SMS Reminders | Supported | Native AU support |
| In-App Chat | Built-in | Built-in |
| Timezone | UK (GMT/BST) | AEST/AEDT |
Real Cost Comparison
Based on typical Australian pet business transaction volumes.
* For illustrative purposes only, based on industry averages. Your actual costs may vary.
| Cost Type | Collar | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription (Premium tier) | A$205/month = A$2,460/year | $0/month (waived at -+) |
| Service Listing Limits | Limited to 6 services (Premium) | Unlimited services |
| Payment Processing (~$300K GMV) | Unknown rates | ~$5,610 (-) |
| Total Annual Cost (Premium tier) | A$2,460+ (subscription alone) | ~$5,610 (transaction fees only) |
You're paying twice with Collar
A$100-415/month subscription with service listing limits (3/6/12 services), plus uk-based payment processing: 2.9-5%+ (vs petboost localised 1.7% + $0.30). With Petboost, you pay $0/month (waived at -+ volume) and competitive AU payment processing rates.
What You Keep Instead of Paying in Fees
~A$2,460+/year (subscription savings alone)/year
Based on $500K GMV, 80% online transactions
* For illustrative purposes only, based on industry averages. Your actual savings may vary.
Pricing Calculator
See exactly what you'll pay with Business
-/month + - transaction fee. Hit -/month and the subscription is waived. Unlike competitors, you can pass fees to customers.
Petboost Business
Hit -/month and your monthly fee is waived
Typical Competitor
Fixed costs regardless of revenue
SMS Included
~3 SMS per appointment included (confirmation, reminder, receipt). That's 300 messages worth $72-$120 based on retail mass SMS product rates for 3-4 segment messages (non-wholesale pricing).
Smart Onboarding
Automated magic onboarding (like Gingr, MoeGo) for Customers & Pets is free. Optional guided onboarding & data cleaning starts at $0 to ~$600 depending on your data, obligation free. See our onboarding options.
Your Savings
Save $681+ per month compared to typical competitors.
* Estimates based on 100 transactions averaging $100 each. Actual costs vary based on transaction volume and average ticket size.
From solo operators to
multi-van fleets
Petboost scales with you. Whether you're a one-person mobile groomer or running a large facility with multiple staff and spaces.
Solo Superstars
One-person operations with streamlined scheduling and automated payments.
- 1-tap booking management
- Automated invoicing & receipts
- After-hours self-service booking
- SMS reminders on autopilot
Growing Teams
3-10 staff with resource management, shared calendars, and team coordination.
- Multi-staff scheduling
- Per-resource capacity limits
- Team permissions & roles
- Shared customer database
Large Operations
Dog walking van fleets, multi-space facilities, and high-volume businesses.
- Fleet/van management
- Multi-space capacity tracking
- Volume pricing available
- Advanced automation rules
Making the Switch
It's easier than you think. Here's what to expect if you decide to move from Collar.
Migration Complexity
Customer Data
Export available; import assistance provided
Booking History
Not imported; fresh start in Petboost
Package Balances
Manual reconciliation recommended
Timeline
2-3 weeks typical
Keep Your Existing Hardware
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with Collar, you can bring it across to Petboost. No new equipment needed.
We're here to help. We provide migration assistance for businesses switching from Collar.
Contact us for a migration assessmentWhich Is Right for Your Business?
Collar may suit you if:
- You're UK-based and want UK support
- You're a veterinary clinic
- Native iOS/Android apps are important
- You need route optimisation for mobile services
- You rent out dog parks, paddocks, swimming pools, or event spaces for pets
- You need franchise/multi-location management today
- You want 30+ built-in reports without needing external analytics tools
- Gym-style membership programs are central to your business model
Petboost is the better choice if:
- You're an Australian business wanting local support
- Payment processing costs matter to your bottom line
- You want to earn $0/month (waived at -+) (pay only when you earn)
- Transparent pricing is important to you
- You value comprehensive pet attributes
- You're multi-service or planning to expand verticals
From large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
Still unsure? Book a no-pressure demo and we'll help you figure out if we're the right fit, even if that means recommending someone else.
Collar vs Petboost FAQs
Common questions about switching and comparing these platforms.
Ready to see Petboost in action?
Start your 14-day free trial, then activate Business Pro for 0 days with 0% Petboost fees. Only pay Stripe processing fees.
Last verified: 12th December 2025 | Pricing and features sourced from collar.app
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
Collar® is a registered trademark of its respective owners. This comparison is based on publicly available information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Collar.